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So there was conversation about people wanting to learn the skills to be better at commentary, and I thought I'd dish out some free advice. Will only cost a penny.
1) This may seem super obvious, but be yourself. A lot of people come into it wanting to emulate someone else, or copy someone wholesale. No one wants to hear a knockoff when the original exists. It's fine to have influences, but in the end, you need to present yourself as "you"
2) Find influences outside of wrestling. The biggest influences on my style were Jim Lampley and Mark Followill. This allowed me to present myself as a little more legitimate, because I wasn't copying wrestling schtick.
3) Understand that it isn't about you. You aren't calling matches to get yourself over. You are doing it to enhance the in-ring product. Just like the guys in the ring, you need to have your "signature spots", but just like the workers, they need to add to the experience.
4) No one gives a shit about your stand-up routine. Yes, there needs to be a little haha, but for the love of Dirk make sure you are actually funny, and keep it to a minimum. If you spend the whole time cracking wise, you cheapen the work in the ring, and you cheapen yourself.
5) The largest amount of praise I ever got was for my ability to "fill the dead air" or make lesser matches watchable. Learn the importance of banter and filling in the story gaps for the audience. Look at a bad match as a challenge to expand your storytelling ability.
6) Continued from 5, but it's not how much you say, but what you say. Just talking for the sake of talking is no better than dead air.
7) No-brainer, but be prepared! Never be afraid to ask wrestlers about their stuff if you aren't familiar with them. 99% of the time they really appreciate it. If you can't get info on someone, learn the art of BS'ing your way through it lol
8) Always assume there is someone watching the product for the first time. You want to give enough to satisfy the regulars, while also presenting something to make a first timer feel like they understand what is happening. There is a bad tendency to be too "inside baseball".
9) Finally, understand that not everyone will like your work. Yes, listen to valid criticisms(if enough people complain about something you should probably change it), but don't let 1 negative comment drown out 10 positive ones.
9 cont...I had the advantage of being in the ring for years and learning to deal with that, but it can be hard. I *knew* I was a good announcer, and even I got some nasty feedback. Just be confident in what you are doing, and you will get better with more reps!
